this thing's incredible

I Bought These $50 Muji Cords in 3 Colors

“They feel like loungewear but look polished enough to wear out and about.”

Animation: Pedro Nekoi

I’m always surprised that people aren’t clothes shopping at Muji as much as they should be, and part of me doesn’t want to write this so I can keep it a semi-secret for myself. I love the brand’s clothes; they’re well priced and good quality. Its linens last for years, and its fall and winter clothes are also easy daily-wear options that are well cut and easy to throw in the wash.

This year, I have its straight corduroy pants in rotation in three colors: ivory, smoky pink, and navy. When something works for me, I like to buy it in multiple colors and not have to think about what to wear each morning.

I found them when I was strolling around the shop gazing at tidily stacked piles of notebooks and decided to try some on because it’s now cold enough that I need to switch out my linens for some fallwear, and I’ve lost weight since last year, so I need new pants.

Photo: Diksha Basu

The waist is elastic, so the pants are incredibly comfortable and feel like loungewear while working from home but look polished enough to wear out and about. The elastic is nice and thin (not narrow) and well fitted, so it doesn’t have the frumpy look that often tragically goes with elasticized waists. The corduroy is light and not even terribly visible from a distance, which gives it a more casual feel.

I have been wearing them for everything from school pickups to lunch at local restaurants and grocery shopping. It has a flattering fit that goes well with any casual top.

The pants are wide-legged but not so long that they drag on the ground (for reference, I’m five-foot-six) while wearing them with flats. They run a bit large, so I’d suggest sizing down if you’re in between sizes — or just buy your usual size and be ready for a baggier, more comfortable fit. I’m wearing a medium in the picture and I need to pull them up every so often, but I like an oversize fit, and they tighten back up after a round in the washer and dryer.

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I Bought These $50 Muji Cords in 3 Colors